Today in Focus
1,722 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 649 ratingsHosted by Michael Safi and Helen Pidd, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining personal storytelling with insightful analysis, this podcast takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday. Today in Focus features journalists such as: Aditya Chakrabortty, Alex Hern, Alexis Petridis, Andrew Roth, Emma Graham-Harrison, George Monbiot, Jim Waterson, John Crace, John Harris, Jonathan Freedland, Kiran Stacey, Larry Elliott, Luke Harding, Marina Hyde, Nesrine Malik, Owen Jones, Peter Walker, Pippa Crerar, Polly Toynbee, Shaun Walker, Simon Hattenstone and Zoe Williams. The podcast is a topical, deep dive, explainer on a topic or story in the news, covering: current affairs, politics, investigations, leaks, scandals and interviews. It might cover topics such as: GB, Scotland, England and Ireland news, the environment, green issues, climate change, the climate emergency and global warming; American politics including: US presidential election 2024, Biden, Trump, the White House, the GOP, the Republicans and the Republican Party, the Democrats and the Democratic Party; UK politics including: UK election 24, Parliament, Labour, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer; culture; the royals and the royal family, including King Charles III and Prince Harry; HS2; the police and current affairs including: Ukraine, Russia, Bangladesh, Israel, Palestine, Gaza and AI.
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Episodes
The spy cops scandal: part 2
December 09, 2020 03:00 - 34 minutes - 40.1 MBThe Guardian’s Paul Lewis and Rob Evans on investigating one of British police’s most covert units and learning that they were using the identities of dead children. Frank Bennett reflects on the impact of discovering that a police spy had stolen his dead brother’s identity to infiltrate two leftwing organisations, and to deceive a woman into a sexual relationship. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The spy cops scandal: part 2
December 09, 2020 03:00 - 34 minutes - 40.1 MBThe Guardian’s Paul Lewis and Rob Evans on investigating one of British police’s most covert units and learning that they were using the identities of dead children. Frank Bennett reflects on the impact of discovering that a police spy had stolen his dead brother’s identity to infiltrate two leftwing organisations, and to deceive a woman into a sexual relationship. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The spy cops scandal: part 1
December 08, 2020 03:00 - 45 minutes - 52.8 MBGuardian investigative editor Paul Lewis and investigative reporter Rob Evans detail their decade-long investigation into undercover policing. At least 139 officers were given fake identities to monitor the inner workings of more than 1,000 political groups. Jessica, a former member of one of those groups, describes the impact of discovering that a man with whom she began a relationship in 1992 was actually an undercover cop. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The spy cops scandal: part 1
December 08, 2020 03:00 - 45 minutes - 52.8 MBGuardian investigative editor Paul Lewis and investigative reporter Rob Evans detail their decade-long investigation into undercover policing. At least 139 officers were given fake identities to monitor the inner workings of more than 1,000 political groups. Jessica, a former member of one of those groups, describes the impact of discovering that a man with whom she began a relationship in 1992 was actually an undercover cop. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The rise of the 'chumocracy'
December 07, 2020 03:00 - 31 minutes - 44.3 MBInvestigations into how lucrative Covid-related government contracts were awarded have raised serious questions about cronyism. The Guardian’s Felicity Lawrence and David Pegg investigate. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The rise of the 'chumocracy'
December 07, 2020 03:00 - 31 minutes - 44.3 MBInvestigations into how lucrative Covid-related government contracts were awarded have raised serious questions about cronyism. The Guardian’s Felicity Lawrence and David Pegg investigate. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How to have a Covid-safe Christmas
December 04, 2020 03:00 - 24 minutes - 29.1 MBFamilies across the UK are being allowed to gather over Christmas, even as tens of thousands of new coronavirus cases are recorded each day. Is it possible to have a safe holiday? The Guardian’s science correspondent Nicola Davis offers some guidance Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How to have a Covid-safe Christmas
December 04, 2020 03:00 - 24 minutes - 29.1 MBFamilies across the UK are being allowed to gather over Christmas, even as tens of thousands of new coronavirus cases are recorded each day. Is it possible to have a safe holiday? The Guardian’s science correspondent Nicola Davis offers some guidance Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Three women on their fight for abortion rights in Poland
December 03, 2020 03:00 - 23 minutes - 27.7 MBAcademic Agnieszka Graff, lawyer Karolina Więckiewicz and gynaecologist Anna Parzyńska discuss their fight for abortion rights. An attempt by authorities to impose a near-total ban on terminations has sparked mass demonstrations across the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Three women on their fight for abortion rights in Poland
December 03, 2020 03:00 - 23 minutes - 27.7 MBAcademic Agnieszka Graff, lawyer Karolina Więckiewicz and gynaecologist Anna Parzyńska discuss their fight for abortion rights. An attempt by authorities to impose a near-total ban on terminations has sparked mass demonstrations across the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Crown – fact or fiction?
December 02, 2020 03:00 - 26 minutes - 31 MBRoyal correspondent Jennie Bond, who has covered some of the most dramatic years of the monarchy, discusses whether The Crown is an accurate depiction of palace life. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Crown – fact or fiction?
December 02, 2020 03:00 - 26 minutes - 31 MBRoyal correspondent Jennie Bond, who has covered some of the most dramatic years of the monarchy, discusses whether The Crown is an accurate depiction of palace life. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Nobel peace prize winner fighting a war in Ethiopia
December 01, 2020 03:00 - 32 minutes - 45 MBEthiopia’s prime minister was feted by the international community as a reformer and a peacemaker. Now, as the Guardian’s Jason Burke explains, he has launched a major military campaign in the north of his country that threatens the stability of the region. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Nobel peace prize winner fighting a war in Ethiopia
December 01, 2020 03:00 - 32 minutes - 45 MBEthiopia’s prime minister was feted by the international community as a reformer and a peacemaker. Now, as the Guardian’s Jason Burke explains, he has launched a major military campaign in the north of his country that threatens the stability of the region. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
He risked his life fighting the Californian wildfires, now he faces deportation
November 30, 2020 03:00 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBFor weeks, the Guardian US reporter Sam Levin has been speaking to Bounchan Keola, who is being detained by Ice and facing deportation to Laos, a country he left when he was four, despite having risked his life to fight wildfires in California this year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
He risked his life fighting the Californian wildfires, now he faces deportation
November 30, 2020 03:00 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBFor weeks, the Guardian US reporter Sam Levin has been speaking to Bounchan Keola, who is being detained by Ice and facing deportation to Laos, a country he left when he was four, despite having risked his life to fight wildfires in California this year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Is former Elite boss Gerald Marie the Harvey Weinstein of the fashion industry?
November 27, 2020 03:00 - 28 minutes - 33.6 MBWendy Walsh was 17 when she moved to Paris to be a model. Within weeks of arriving, Walsh alleges, she was raped by Gérald Marie. She is one of 16 women who have spoken to the investigative reporter Lucy Osborne, who has spent the past year looking into whether Marie was a sexual predator. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Is former Elite boss Gerald Marie the Harvey Weinstein of the fashion industry?
November 27, 2020 03:00 - 28 minutes - 33.6 MBWendy Walsh was 17 when she moved to Paris to be a model. Within weeks of arriving, Walsh alleges, she was raped by Gérald Marie. She is one of 16 women who have spoken to the investigative reporter Lucy Osborne, who has spent the past year looking into whether Marie was a sexual predator. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the Covid-19 pandemic has increased Amazon's dominance
November 26, 2020 03:00 - 24 minutes - 34.5 MBAs high street rivals were forced to close this year, Amazon has gone from strength to strength. But reports of conditions in some of its huge warehouses have brought a new level of scrutiny, as John Harris explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the Covid-19 pandemic has increased Amazon's dominance
November 26, 2020 03:00 - 24 minutes - 34.5 MBAs high street rivals were forced to close this year, Amazon has gone from strength to strength. But reports of conditions in some of its huge warehouses have brought a new level of scrutiny, as John Harris explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
A vaccine revolution
November 25, 2020 03:00 - 27 minutes - 38.8 MBResults from clinical trials have shown that the world has three apparently highly effective vaccines for Covid-19. With the race now on for regulatory approval, production and distribution, is the end of the pandemic within reach?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
A vaccine revolution
November 25, 2020 03:00 - 27 minutes - 38.8 MBResults from clinical trials have shown that the world has three apparently highly effective vaccines for Covid-19. With the race now on for regulatory approval, production and distribution, is the end of the pandemic within reach?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Racism within the Windrush compensation scheme
November 24, 2020 03:00 - 28 minutes - 32.9 MBThe Guardian’s Amelia Gentleman wrote her first story on the Windrush scandal almost three years ago – yet she is still hearing from people facing injustice. Alexandra Ankrah, the most senior black Home Office employee in the team responsible for the Windrush compensation scheme, discusses why she resigned this year, describing the scheme as systemically racist and unfit for purpose while Samantha Cooper describes her frustrations with trying to access financial help. Help support our indepen...
Racism within the Windrush compensation scheme
November 24, 2020 03:00 - 28 minutes - 32.9 MBThe Guardian’s Amelia Gentleman wrote her first story on the Windrush scandal almost three years ago – yet she is still hearing from people facing injustice. Alexandra Ankrah, the most senior black Home Office employee in the team responsible for the Windrush compensation scheme, discusses why she resigned this year, describing the scheme as systemically racist and unfit for purpose while Samantha Cooper describes her frustrations with trying to access financial help. Help support our indepe...
Gary Younge on minority voters and the future of the Republican party
November 23, 2020 03:00 - 31 minutes - 37 MBA look at the history of US voting rights and what the changing demographics of the country mean for Republicans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Gary Younge on minority voters and the future of the Republican party
November 23, 2020 03:00 - 31 minutes - 37 MBA look at the history of US voting rights and what the changing demographics of the country mean for Republicans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How Samuel Paty's murder reignited France's free speech debate
November 20, 2020 03:00 - 34 minutes - 48.4 MBThe murder of a schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the prophet Muhammad during a lesson on free speech has rekindled a debate in France over secularism and the state’s role in regulating free expression. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How Samuel Paty's murder reignited France's free speech debate
November 20, 2020 03:00 - 34 minutes - 48.4 MBThe murder of a schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the prophet Muhammad during a lesson on free speech has rekindled a debate in France over secularism and the state’s role in regulating free expression. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How will Joe Biden reset US relations with the world?
November 19, 2020 03:00 - 26 minutes - 30.5 MBJoe Biden will enter the White House in 2021 facing numerous domestic crises. But as Patrick Wintour explains, he cannot ignore the rest of the world. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How will Joe Biden reset US relations with the world?
November 19, 2020 03:00 - 26 minutes - 30.5 MBJoe Biden will enter the White House in 2021 facing numerous domestic crises. But as Patrick Wintour explains, he cannot ignore the rest of the world. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What does the turmoil in Downing Street mean for Britain?
November 18, 2020 03:00 - 29 minutes - 34.9 MBBoris Johnson has gotten rid of his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, and his director of communications, Lee Cain. Katy Balls explains what it means for Brexit and the government’s handling of the Covid crisis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What does the turmoil in Downing Street mean for Britain?
November 18, 2020 03:00 - 29 minutes - 34.9 MBBoris Johnson has gotten rid of his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, and his director of communications, Lee Cain. Katy Balls explains what it means for Brexit and the government’s handling of the Covid crisis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What will it take for Donald Trump to concede defeat?
November 17, 2020 03:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBDonald Trump is continuing to dispute the result of the US election and, far from offering his concession, is instead claiming victory. Lawrence Douglas describes what Trump’s behaviour means for the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What will it take for Donald Trump to concede defeat?
November 17, 2020 03:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBDonald Trump is continuing to dispute the result of the US election and, far from offering his concession, is instead claiming victory. Lawrence Douglas describes what Trump’s behaviour means for the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why a plan to cut pollution is making people across England so angry
November 16, 2020 03:00 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBA slew of initiatives from local councils have meant drivers being moved off residential streets and on to busier main roads. But while many residents support the schemes, the measures have provoked protests. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why a plan to cut pollution is making people across England so angry
November 16, 2020 03:00 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBA slew of initiatives from local councils have meant drivers being moved off residential streets and on to busier main roads. But while many residents support the schemes, the measures have provoked protests. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Adrian Chiles on being diagnosed with ADD as an adult
November 13, 2020 03:00 - 27 minutes - 32.3 MBA year ago, the broadcaster Adrian Chiles opened a book on attention deficit disorder (ADD). Suddenly the good, the bad and the mad bits of his life started to make sense. He describes the impact the diagnosis has had on his life. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Adrian Chiles on being diagnosed with ADD as an adult
November 13, 2020 03:00 - 27 minutes - 32.3 MBA year ago, the broadcaster Adrian Chiles opened a book on attention deficit disorder (ADD). Suddenly the good, the bad and the mad bits of his life started to make sense. He describes the impact the diagnosis has had on his life. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Karens: can friendship trump politics?
November 12, 2020 03:00 - 33 minutes - 39.1 MBKaren Ward and Karen Cotter live in the town of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. There is one thing on which they really don’t agree: politics, and in particular, Donald Trump. Yet despite everything that sets them apart, these two women have become close friends and believe there is a way to heal the political rift that has torn apart so many communities in the past four years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Karens: can friendship trump politics?
November 12, 2020 03:00 - 33 minutes - 39.1 MBKaren Ward and Karen Cotter live in the town of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. There is one thing on which they really don’t agree: politics, and in particular, Donald Trump. Yet despite everything that sets them apart, these two women have become close friends and believe there is a way to heal the political rift that has torn apart so many communities in the past four years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The life and death of White Helmets' founder James Le Mesurier
November 11, 2020 03:00 - 32 minutes - 45.9 MBJames Le Mesurier died a year ago today. The Guardian’s Martin Chulov describes the immense pressure the co-founder of the White Helmets was under, as he saw the organisation he built appear to be slipping away from him. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The life and death of White Helmets' founder James Le Mesurier
November 11, 2020 03:00 - 32 minutes - 45.9 MBJames Le Mesurier died a year ago today. The Guardian’s Martin Chulov describes the immense pressure the co-founder of the White Helmets was under, as he saw the organisation he built appear to be slipping away from him. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Labour's battle to root out antisemitism
November 10, 2020 03:00 - 28 minutes - 40 MBFollowing the publication of the EHRC’s investigation into antisemitism in the Labour party its leader Keir Starmer called it a ‘day of shame’. Jessica Elgot reports on how the party is moving forward. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Labour's battle to root out antisemitism
November 10, 2020 03:00 - 28 minutes - 40 MBFollowing the publication of the EHRC’s investigation into antisemitism in the Labour party its leader Keir Starmer called it a ‘day of shame’. Jessica Elgot reports on how the party is moving forward. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
US election 2020: can Joe Biden unite America?
November 09, 2020 03:00 - 24 minutes - 35 MBAfter days of tense counting in key states, Joe Biden was confirmed as the winner of the US election, beating the incumbent Donald Trump. But as David Smith explains, his job of uniting the country begins now – and it won’t be easy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
US election 2020: can Joe Biden unite America?
November 09, 2020 03:00 - 24 minutes - 35 MBAfter days of tense counting in key states, Joe Biden was confirmed as the winner of the US election, beating the incumbent Donald Trump. But as David Smith explains, his job of uniting the country begins now – and it won’t be easy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
US election 2020: will Donald Trump accept the result?
November 06, 2020 03:00 - 29 minutes - 41.7 MBJoe Biden was still leading Donald Trump in the tense race to the critical 270 electoral votes as counting continued in key states. Jonathan Freedland describes an election that has provided one clear message: the US remains divided. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
US election 2020: will Donald Trump accept the result?
November 06, 2020 03:00 - 29 minutes - 41.7 MBJoe Biden was still leading Donald Trump in the tense race to the critical 270 electoral votes as counting continued in key states. Jonathan Freedland describes an election that has provided one clear message: the US remains divided. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Nearing the finish line in the race for a Covid-19 vaccine
November 05, 2020 03:00 - 25 minutes - 29.8 MBIt’s day one of the lockdown in England, and it’s been a turbulent week in US politics. Thankfully Robin McKie, the Observer’s science editor, has some good news on the race to find a vaccine. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Light at the end of the lockdown tunnel
November 05, 2020 03:00 - 25 minutes - 29.8 MBIt’s day one of the lockdown in England, and it’s been a turbulent week in US politics. Thankfully Robin McKie, the Observer’s science editor, has some good news on the race to find a vaccine. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus